Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Europe: Embassies

Stephen Gethins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether any UK embassies in Europe are temporarily closed.

Mr David Lidington: No UK embassies in Europe are currently closed.

EU Countries: British Nationals Abroad

Mr David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications of UK withdrawal from the EU for UK pensions and healthcare provision for UK citizens (a) currently residing in other EU member states and (b) wishing to retire to other EU member states.

Mr David Lidington: As the Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) has said, there will be no immediate changes in the circumstances of British citizens living in European countries. It will be for the next Prime Minister to determine, along with their Cabinet, exactly the right approach to take in negotiating these provisions going forward but the Government's guiding principle will be ensuring the best possible outcome for the British people.

Gibraltar: Sovereignty

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the Government will reaffirm its commitment to ensuring Gibraltar remains British sovereign territory as long as it is the will of the inhabitants of Gibraltar.

Mr David Lidington: The outcome of the EU referendum does not affect the United Kingdom’s steadfast and longstanding commitment to Gibraltar. We will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another State against their wishes. Furthermore, the UK will not enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content.

Diplomatic Relations

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the outcome of the EU referendum on the Government's global diplomatic standing.

Mr David Lidington: As the Prime Minister, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) has said, Britain is a truly great country that will always be capable of thriving and prospering on the world stage. We are a member of the UN Security Council, of NATO, the Commonwealth, of the G7 and the G20. Our voice will always be prominent.

Giulio Regeni

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if a representative from his Department will travel to Egypt to meet Egyptian authorities to discuss the murder of Giulio Regeni.

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when his Department most recently raised the case of Giulio Regeni with the Egyptian government.

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent progress the Government has made on its response to the murder of Giulio Regeni.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We have consistently raised our concerns and the need for a full and transparent investigation with the Egyptian authorities both in Cairo and with the Egyptian Ambassador in London. We support the Italian and Egyptian efforts to investigate.Most recently Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Cairo, John Casson, met with the Deputy Assistant Minister for Human Rights at the Egyptian Ministry for Foreign Affairs on 29 June. He raised our concerns about the lack of cooperation with Italian investigators and stressed the need for full cooperation and an investigation that considered all possible scenarios.On 25th April the Government published a more detailed response on the actions it has taken regarding Mr Regeni’s case in response to a public petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/120832

Saudi Arabia: Religious Freedom

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 7 June 2016 to Question 38785, what the content was of the three most recent representations the Government has made to the Saudi Arabian government relating to religious freedom.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We frequently raise religious freedom as part of our dialogue with the Saudi authorities on a wide range of human rights issues, including freedom of thought, conscience and religion. We pursue this dialogue though a variety of means, including diplomatic channels and Ministerial visits.The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) raised human rights most recently during his visit to Saudi Arabia on 29 May. During my visit to Riyadh in January I discussed Human Rights with the National Society of Human Rights. Our Ambassador to Saudi Arabia continues to raise UK concerns on a regular basis.

Yemen: Cluster Munitions

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on steps taken by the government of Saudi Arabia to investigate the possible use of UK-supplied BL-755 cluster munitions in northern Yemen.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We are aware of reports of the alleged use of UK –supplied cluster munitions by Saudi Arabia in the Yemen. The Government takes such allegations very seriously. We are analysing the case and seeking clarification from the Saudi-led Coalition.

Mohamed Ramadan

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 19 April 2016 to Question 33305, whether his Department had sight of the evidence submitted to the Ombudsman in Bahrain regarding Mr Mohamed Ramadan's case when preparing that Answer.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Ombudsman, Nawaf Mohammed Al Ma'awda, has issued a statement that addresses the full range of allegations and commits to undertake a full, independent investigation into the treatment of Mr Mohamed Ramadan. We appear not to have received any evidence in relation to this case.

EU Common Foreign and Security Policy

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK's withdrawal from the EU on the future of existing European missions in Libya, Ukraine and Afghanistan.

Mr David Lidington: The process for the withdrawal of the UK from the EU will take time. Until then, we remain a full member of the European Union and all the rights and obligations of EU membership remain in force. We are also a member of the UN Security Council, of NATO, the Commonwealth, of the G7 and the G20. Our commitment to our extensive security cooperation with our international partners remains steadfast.

Yemen: Cluster Munitions

Dr Paul Monaghan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Saudi counterpart on investigating allegations by Amnesty International on the use of a UK-supplied BL-755 cluster munition in northern Yemen.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We are aware of reports, including from Amnesty International on 6 June, of the alleged use of cluster munitions in the Saudi –led Coalition campaign in Yemen. The Government takes such allegations very seriously. We are seeking clarification from the Saudi-led Coalition through diplomatic and military channels as to the veracity of claims.

Northern Ireland Office

Aviation: Northern Ireland

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent assessment she has made of the effect on Northern Ireland of postponing the decision on extra runway capacity in South East England.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: The Government had hoped to announce a decision on airports capacity this summer. Any announcement on airports capacity would have to be made with the House in session and we cannot foresee an announcement until at least October. The Government is committed to delivering the important infrastructure projects it has set out, including delivering runway capacity on the timetable set out by the Airports Commission’s report.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Medical Treatments

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what engagement his Department has had with the Accelerated Access Review (AAR); and whether the AAR plans to investigate expediting the delivery of new drugs and devices to tackle MRSA and antimicrobial resistance.

George Freeman: The Accelerated Access Review team is a joint unit between the Department of Health and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The Accelerated Access Review is intended to reform the landscape for the assessment, adoption and reimbursement of innovative drugs, devices and other treatments across all therapeutic areas.

Department for International Development

Developing Countries: Sanitation

Tom Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to improve access to water and sanitation.

Mr Nick Hurd: The Department for International Development is committed to reaching 60 million people with water and sanitation by 2020. As part of the bilateral aid review we have ensured that DFID has concrete plans in place to deliver this commitment. We reached 62.9 million people between 2011 and 2015. We are the largest bilateral donor for basic water and sanitation in low-income countries

Ministry of Justice

Hate Crime: Nottinghamshire

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many incidents reported to the police online reporting portal True Vision in June 2016 took place in (a) Nottingham and (b) Nottinghamshire.

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many incidents reported to the police online reporting portal True Vision have taken place in (a) Nottingham and (b) Nottinghamshire in June 2016.

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many incidents reported to the police online reporting portal True Vision after 23 June 2016 took place in (a) Nottingham and (b) Nottinghamshire.

Mike Penning: The True Vision reporting facility, which is owned by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, is designed to help victims access services and to increase the reporting of hate crime.There were nine reports made through True Vision to Nottinghamshire Police in June 2016. Seven of these reports were submitted between 23rd and 30th June. True Vision does not record details of the location within the county.True Vision reports also include both crime and non-crime hate incidents. Any form of hate crime is totally unacceptable and there are tough sentencing options available to the courts to deal with those who commit these crimes. We will continue to work with the police to increase reporting of these offences.

Ministry of Defence

Syria: Military Intervention

Ms Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what reports the Government has received on the existence of evidence of the use of banned weapons by Russian forces in Syria; and what representations he has made to the Russian government on that matter.

Penny Mordaunt: I am aware of media reports on Russia's use of incendiary weapons and cluster munitions over the past few weeks, which would constitute a further example of indiscriminate military action in Syria. Incendiary weapons were reported to have been used against civilian areas in Aleppo on 25 June and around the town of Saraqeb in Idlib province on 26 June, causing suffering to the civilian population.The UK has always been clear that the use of any weapon without regard for the fundamental legal principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution in attack is illegal and must be condemned. We can see no justification for the way in which these weapons are reported to have been used and call on the Regime and the Russian Government to comply with their obligations under International Humanitarian Law.

Iraq: Islamic State

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to assist Iraqi forces and prevent the re-taking of Fallujah by Daesh.

Penny Mordaunt: The RAF is playing a full part in on-going Coalition air support to operations around Fallujah. UK personnel have already made a key contribution to building the capacity of Iraqi security forces by training over 14,200 troops in countering improvised explosive devices, medical and infantry skills. The additional trainers that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 30 June (HCWS50) will help train further Iraqi forces to assist them in consolidating their recent gains in Anbar province.



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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Flood Control: Finance

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the potential effect of the outcome of the EU referendum on flood defence funding.

Rory Stewart: No Government Grant-in-Aid funding for flood defence projects comes from the European Union. Where EU Structural Funds are being used in partnership funding, current arrangements for such funding will remain in place until we leave the EU. Defra will continue to ensure that the right policies are in place to reduce the risk of flooding and coastal erosion. The priorities for negotiating our exit from the EU will be a matter for the new Prime Minister and their Cabinet.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Stewart Malcolm McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to make available funding at the same level as currently received from the Common Agricultural Policy in the event of the UK leaving the EU.

George Eustice: The Prime Minister made clear that there needs to be a system of agricultural support in the event of the UK leaving the EU.The precise nature of any future domestic agricultural policy will be a matter for a new Prime Minister and their Cabinet.

Home Office

Undocumented Migrants

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent estimate she has made of the number of illegal immigrants in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 07 July 2016



No such estimates have been made. Any estimation would be extremely difficult with considerable uncertainty around it.

HM Treasury

Taxation: Malawi

Deidre  Brock: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has for the revised UK-Malawi tax treaty to be signed and ratified.

Deidre  Brock: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, which tax treaties his Department has under review or plans to review in the near future.

Mr David Gauke: The revised UK-Malawi tax treaty was substantially agreed several years ago. A limited number of outstanding issues remain, but once these are resolved we will be seeking to arrange signature. The UK’s treaty negotiating programme is published on GOV.UK and was last updated on 30 November 2015. It stated that the UK will begin negotiations on double taxation agreements with: Nepal, Romania, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uzbekistan. It also stated that the UK would work on DTAs and protocols with: Colombia, Fiji, Ghana, Guernsey, India, Isle of Man, Israel, Jersey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Malawi, Portugal, Russia, Thailand, Turkmenistan, UAE, USA and Uruguay.

Economic Situation

Tom Brake: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the economic effect of the outcome of the EU referendum.

Harriett Baldwin: While it is clear that we do now face a significant economic challenge as a result of the referendum decision, the UK economy is well placed to respond. Over the last six years we have taken a series of difficult, sometimes painful decisions in order to rebuild our economy. To minimise the risk to the economy in general, and make the decision work for the UK, we need to ensure that we resolve the economic uncertainty by working together to determine the model for our new relationship with the EU. Before the referendum campaign, the UK government published short-term and long-term assessments of the likely impact on the economy of the UK leaving the EU.

Employment

Tom Brake: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made on the potential effect on levels of employment of the UK leaving the EU.

Harriett Baldwin: As the governor of the Bank of England said, the referendum result is as expected likely to lead to a significant negative shock for the British economy. Since the referendum there has been no new assessment of predicted levels of employment. Before the referendum campaign, the UK government published a short term assessment of predicted levels of employment of the UK leaving the EU.

Cost of Living

Tom Brake: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made on the potential effect of the outcome of the EU referendum on the cost of (a) household products, (b) food and (c) cars.

Harriett Baldwin: As the governor of the Bank of England said, the referendum result is as expected likely to lead to a significant negative shock for the British economy. Since the referendum there has been no assessment of predicted inflation broken down by sector. The trade – weighted value of the pound sterling has fallen by 11.5% since June 23rd.

Public Finance

Tom Brake: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate the Government has made on the potential effect on government income of the UK leaving the EU.

Harriett Baldwin: The Office for Budget Responsibility will produce a revised forecast for the UK public finances in the autumn, which will take account of the UK’s decision to leave the EU. Before the referendum campaign, the UK government published short term and long term economic forecasts of the potential effect on government income of the UK leaving the EU

EU Grants and Loans: Scotland

Tom Brake: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment the Government has made of the potential effect of the outcome of the EU referendum on EU development funding for Scotland.

Greg Hands: As the Prime Minister has made clear, while the UK remains a member of the EU, current EU funding arrangements continue unchanged. It will be for the government under the new Prime Minister to begin the negotiation to exit the EU and set out the arrangements they will put in place for those currently in receipt of EU funds.

EU Grants and Loans: Wales

Tom Brake: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment the Government has made of the potential effect of the outcome of the EU referendum on EU development funding for Wales.

Greg Hands: As the Prime Minister has made clear, while the UK remains a member of the EU, current EU funding arrangements continue unchanged. It will be for the government under the new Prime Minister to begin the negotiation to exit the EU and set out the arrangements they will put in place for those currently in receipt of EU funds.

Cabinet Office

UK Withdrawal from EU

Tom Brake: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment the Government has made of the potential effect of the outcome of the EU referendum on the future of the Union of the UK.

John Penrose: As the Prime Minister said to the House on 27 June, we must ensure that the interests of all parts of our United Kingdom are protected and advanced.We are already in contact with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments as we prepare for a new negotiation with the European Union.

Department of Health

Antibiotics: Drug Resistance

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with his (a) EU and (b) non-EU counterparts on tackling antimicrobial resistance.

Jane Ellison: The Prime Minister and numerous Government Ministers including my Rt. hon Friend the Secretary of State have engaged with both European Union (EU) and non-EU counterparts to galvanise action at the global level, through the G7, G20 and United Nations, to raise this issue up to the political agenda. We will continue to work closely with our international partners to implement the World Health Organization Global Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance, focusing on strengthening national action across all sectors.

Antibiotics

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions Ministers of his Department have had with their counterparts in the devolved administrations on development of new antibiotics and encouraging innovation in such development through reform of evaluation and reimbursement mechanisms.

George Freeman: Discussions between Departmental officials and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry concerning pricing and reimbursement models for antibiotics are ongoing and the topic will in due course feature in the established cross-government dialogue on antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, I am planning United Kingdom-wide collaboration as part of the first meeting of Ministers with portfolio responsibility for life sciences across all devolved administrations of the UK.

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with his Ministerial colleagues on Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework on Tobacco Control.

Jane Ellison: No such discussions have taken place.

Tobacco: Smuggling

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues on the potential effect of the Government's commitment to tackle the illicit trade in tobacco products on public health policy.

Jane Ellison: I recently discussed the impact of illicit trade of tobacco on public health as part of the Cross Government Ministerial Group on Illicit Trade, which was announced in the refreshed Government strategy ‘Tackling illicit tobacco: from leaf to light’ last year.

Department of Health: Pay

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, (a) how much has been paid to officials of his Department as an additional incentive for working overtime on top of their normal overtime payments, (b) how much has been offered to any individual staff member for a one-off occurrence, (c) how many staff received such incentivised additional payments, (d) from which budgets such payments were made and (e) at which Ministerial or official level the business cases or payment approval for such payments was made in (i) each of the last five years and (ii) 2016 to date.

Jane Ellison: The Department does not offer employees additional incentives for working overtime on top of normal overtime payments.